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Brazilian Off-Roader Gets Electric Powertrain From MotoCzysz

After successfully building and racing the E1pc electric motorcycle, MotoCzysz has turned their efforts to electrifying a tiny Brazilian-built off-roader.

The TAC Motors Stark is a four-wheel drive SUV that's only 160.7 inches long – about a foot shorter than a Honda Civic. It's tubular frame is covered in lightweight plastic panels and it's gained a cult following among Brazilian off-road enthusiasts.

Now, MotoCyzysz has been tasked with swapping the Stark's Fiat turbodiesel engine for a full electric drivetrain in order to create the eStark, a vehicle that the company hopes to eventually sell outside of Brazil. The agreement between the two companies calls for 3,600 eStarks to be built.

"The eStark is a very exciting and cool vehicle that I think will be a real success in Brazil and hopefully eventually in North America as well," said MotoCzysz CEO Michael Czysz.

The secret behind the partnership is MotoCzysz's unfortunately-spelled D1g1tal Dr1ve electric drivetrain. It's an off-the-shelf powerplant specifically designed for OEMs interested in converting existing vehicles into EVs. The D1g1tal Dr1ve system is about the size of a carry-on suitcase and contains a liquid-cooled electric motor, inverter, differential, heat exchange, oil pump and other necessary electronics. According to MotoCzysz, all that the vehicle manufacturer needs to provide is a DC power supply, water for cooling and a low-voltage wiring harness.

"Deciding to make an electric Stark was an easy decision, the difficult part was, how?" said TAC's technical director Giovani Balduino. "MotoCzysz answered that question with the D1g1tal Dr1ve."

Due to its low production numbers and the difficulty of meeting safety regulations for on-road use, it's doubtful that the eStark would ever become a mainstream player in the US. But from the looks of it, it could definitely be a fun off-road toy that treads a little more lightly in the great outdoors thanks to an electric powerplant.